Arsenal maintain hold on top four spot in PL with 3-0 win over West Ham

Arsenal maintained their hold on a top four place in the Premier League with a 3-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday, in order to enjoy the perfect preparation for their Champions League showdown with Monaco.

Goals from Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey and substitute Mathieu Flamini ensured Arsene Wenger's side's win and they would now travel to the Monaco with confidence high as they attempt to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg of their last 16 tie.

Arsenal dominated the game from the start, however, the goals arrived a little late, Sport24 reported.

Theo Walcott should have put the home side ahead after just five minutes into the game, but the England international hesitated when he came one-to-one with West Ham keeper Adrian.

West Ham successfully kept Arsenal at bay for a period, and might even have taken the lead when Kevin Nolan volleyed at goal from the edge of the box, but David Ospina managed to keep it out.

The first half really became exciting for Arsenal when Ramsey attempted to score with his knee, showing fine improvisation for a high cross, but Adrian's response was equally impressive as he touched over. The Spaniard then saved from another Walcott one-on-one, a Alexis Sanchez volley, and a Mesut Ozil drive.

However, the opener for Arsenal arrived on the stroke of half-time when Giroud unleashed a high shot in off the post.

West Ham came out stronger in the second half and might have equalised when Matt Jarvis was presented with a clear shot on goal about 15 yards out, but the winger blazed wastefully over.

The win was secured late in the game when Ramsey struck in the 82nd minute to double the lead and shortly afterwards Arsenal made it 3-0 thanks to quick thinking between two substitutes as Santi Cazorla played the ball across the box for French midfielder Flamini to slot home, the report added.